Hearbal relaxation with Algonquin Tea Company Blends

September signals the end of summer, lazy days on the patio, and a return to routine and the every-day stresses of work and school. One of my favourite ways to de-stress after a hard day back at work following a week of camping or cottage-ing is to sit down with a good book and a hot cup of stress relieving herbal tea.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Algonquin Tea Company, nestled among the trees in God’s country. Surrounded by land steeped in native traditions thousands of years old, proprietors Kim and Steve produce all natural herbal infusions with great respect for native traditions of harvesting and blending. I was so impressed by their product and philosophy that I have decided to carry their full line of herbal teas in my store!

In this issue we’ll explore some of the ancient knowledge of herbal teas, and their practical uses for medicine and spiritual well-being, and I’m pleased to share some fun tools that will help you enjoy your favourite relaxing teas.

For those of you returning to the daily grind following a summer of relaxation and fun, remember to find the time to sit down to take care of yourself, and enjoy the company of those you love!

In this Issue

• Culinary Events and News
• Did you know?
• Algonquin Tea Company
• Fun Kitchen Toys
• Traditional Tea Time

Culinary Events and News

Sunday October 16, 2011 - Foodstock
Top Canadian chefs serve up delicious fresh food at local farms, all to support our farmland and water!
www.canadianchefscongress.com

Saturday September 24 - Sunday October 2
Destination Equitaton in the Hills of Headwaters
A 9-day celebration of equine excellence!
www.horsesinthehills.ca

Downtown Orangeville’s Market On Broadway
Opening Saturday mornings: 8am to 1pm -- rain or shine!
www.marketonbroadway.ca

SummerFeast to September 4th, 4 days left!
The region’s finest restaurants – in partnership with The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association – are offering special menus of their extraordinary cuisine at very affordable prices for 4 more mouth-watering days.
www.summerfeast.ca

Congratulations To:
Sue O., the August winner of a $50 store gift certificate!

September Subscriber Draw
All subscribers to our electronic newsletter during the month of September will be entered to win a $50 FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE TABLE gift certificate.

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Did you know?

• Tea is a natural source of fluoride, and can help protect against gum disease and tooth decay.
• Black tea is made by darkening freshly picked tea leaves by exposing them to air.
• Green tea is made with tea leaves that have not been darkened by exposure to air. Due to their delicate nature, green tea leaves should be brewed in water below the boiling point to prevent the leaves from being cooked, and to maintain the subtle flavours of the tea.
• Herbal ‘tea’ is not actually tea at all. Tea is technically a beverage brewed from the leaves of the Tea plant. What we know as “herbal tea”
• A cup of black tea contains only half the amount of caffeine contained in a cup of coffee. Most herbal teas, or infusions contain no caffeine.
• The United States is the only country in the world that consumes more iced tea than hot tea.
• Many tea drinkers enjoy a cup of tea before bed. Tea, unlike coffee, contains Theanine, an amino acid that reduces stress
• Olong teas are a combination of black and green tea, containing both oxidized and fresh green tea leaves. Olong tea has a flavour that is stronger than green tea, and less bitter than black tea.

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Algonquin Tea Company Organic Teas

The Algonquin Tea Company’s line of delicious and healthy organic herbal tea blends are now available at From the Kitchen to the Table! Each of the six varieties is a blend of hand picked wild and organically grown herbs whose medicinal potencies have been well-known for thousands of years.

The Algonquin Tea Company’s philosophy is based on close relationships between the earth and the herbs which take root and flourish in its rich soil, and humanity through which the special knowledge of the herbs’ soothing and healing properties have been passed down through generations.

Harvested in the wilderness of Algonquin Park

The herbs used in Algonquin Tea Co. teas are wildcrafted; handpicked from the wild, in a sustainable manner, picking only amounts a deer would graze. Those herbs which are less readily available in the wild are organically grown using no chemicals or pesticides, and harvested with care by hand. The natural herbs are harvested in canoes by glistening rivers, in warm morning fields of flowers and cool spring valleys full of roots.

In keeping with their commitment to sustainable and ecologically friendly practices, all herbs are naturally dried, and non-bleached tea bags filled by hand, and packed in Canadian-made packaging made with recycled materials.

Beyond being an all natural, eco-friendly product, Algonquin Tea Co. teas are delicious, and the six unique blends each offer a variety of health and spiritual benefits. The subtle aromas in each carefully mixed blend will satisfy the palate of everyone from the average tea drinker to the most gourmet connoisseur. Toronto Life Magazine included Algonquin Tea on its list of 100 Must Try Before You Die Tastes, describing the teas as, “an invigorating taste of southern Ontario’s wilderness”.

	Awakening Tea This uplifting tea energizes without the side-effects of caffeine. A blend of nutritious and supportive with stimulating herbs; Labrador tea, mountain mint, alfalfa, nettle, astragalus, angellica, Joe-pye, calamus and ginseng. Natural Benefits: Stimulant Appetizer Stomach ache Flatulence
	Sweetfern Tonic A blend of sweet fern, red clover, red raspberry, yellow dock, echinacea, dandelion and burdock. A mild herbal tea that can be enjoyed daily, Sweetfern Tonic is ideal for the tea drinker wary of exotic flavours - it tastes like traditional black tea! Natural Benefits: Detoxifies blood Strengthens organs and immune system Clears skin Eases rheumatism
	Homestead Blend Named for the pioneers who enjoyed these herbs for fighting colds, fevers and flu, as well as being a delicious drink. Makes great iced tea! Has a mild licorice flavour. A simple blend of anise hyssop, red clover and raspberry leaves. Natural Benefits: Flu, cold and cough relief Digestive aid Muscle relaxant Hormonal balance
	Sacred Blend A traditional blend of white pine, sweet grass and sage, this tea brings the drinker a healing sense of communion, tranquility and focus, for which the herbs are known by native Americans. Natural Benefits: Decongestant Anti-inflammatory for joint pain Cools fevers Relieves indigestion
	Lucid Dream Tea Lucid Dream Tea is sweet gale, a light flavourful herbal tea which is said to enable one to have more memorable dreams. Lucid Dream Tea can help you remember your dreams, or to dream with others. Try a cup as you go to bed. Natural Benefits: Stomach ache Bronchial ailments Fever
	Peace Tea Peace tea instills the tranquility, patience and beauty of the earth. A rich bittersweet blend including blue vervain, lemon balm, catnip, oat straw, red bergamot, chamomile, hops, motherwort, valerian, skullcap and St. John’s wort. Natural Benefits: Anti depressant Nervous exhaustion Sleeping aid Sedative Irritability

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Fun Kitchen Toys

Steep in style with the Cuisipro Tea Infuser

This sleek modern Cuisipro tea infuser is the perfect way to experiment with your own herbal blends.

Its smart design allows it to stand upright in your cup. Comes with matching stainless steel saucer.

$12.99 each

It’s Tea-mendous!

The Tea-mendous travel tea tumbler from Trudeau is designed for the perfect cup of tea, on the go. Brew loose leaf tea or bagged tea in just minutes. With a convenient carry-and-go design, the tea travel tumbler features a unique mesh basket inside the mug to keep your tea leaves or bags filtered.

With double wall insulation, the Tea-mendous mug will keep your cup of tea warm for up to 2 hours.

$14.99 each

Watch it steep...Bormioli glass teapot

Watch as your favourite herbal blend infuses in the Bormioli glass teapot, made of extra strong, extra light tempered glass.

This elegant teapot comes with a removable glass tea infuser. Perfect for coffee or tea!

$33.99 (1 Litre capacity)

Cosy up with your favourite tea...

Keep your tea pot warm with a Danica tea cosy, available in a variety of patterns.

Made of 100% cotton and filled with polyester insulation, each cosy measures 13.5” wide x 11” high and fits most standard tea pots.

The handy loop on top of the cosy is perfect for convenient storage.

$17.50 each

Traditional Tea Time

In many cultures worldwide, tea is a social ritual that is celebrated at many formal social events, and often becomes the main focus of the event itself. In British culture “tea” was regularly celebrated as part of the daily ritual.

High Tea is considered an early evening meal, enjoyed between 5pm and 6pm, and was traditionally a meal replacement for both afternoon tea and the evening meal. The term “high” tea was a reflection of the fact that the meal was generally eaten at the “high” main table, rather than at a smaller lounge table.

Afternoon Low Tea is usually taken in a sitting room around low tables (like a coffee table), in mid-afternoon between 3pm and 5pm. There are three basic types of afternoon/low tea:

• Cream tea: features teas, scones, jam and cream
• Light tea: features tea, scones and sweets
• Full tea: features tea, savouries, scones, sweets & desserts

Lemon Tea Bread & Tea Time Recipes

A simple, but classic loaf that goes wonderfully with your next cup of tea or coffee.

Lemon Tea Bread >

These are nice for tea time too:

Cinnamon Biscotti >

Strawberry-Raspberry Heart Cake >

Hot Cross Buns! >

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